Chapter 4: The Path to Strength

Chapter 4: The Path to Strength

The dawn over Zenith was muted, the light from the rising sun barely piercing the thick haze of pollution that perpetually cloaked the city. Kael was already awake, pacing near the edge of the scrapyard. His mind raced with anticipation and anxiety about the promise Garran had made. For the first time in his life, someone was offering to teach him how to fight back. To get stronger.

He clenched his fists, the faint warmth of his Bio-Resonance humming faintly beneath his skin. The memory of last night—the power surging through his body when he had thrown Jerik—still felt surreal. But this power wasn't just a gift; it was a burden. A responsibility.

The sound of boots crunching over gravel drew Kael's attention. Garran approached with a slow, deliberate stride. His mechanical arm clinked softly with each step, the gears in the elbow joint hissing as they adjusted.

"You're here early," Garran said with a smirk. "Good. Shows you're serious."

Kael nodded, standing straighter. "I don't want to waste time."

Garran chuckled, then gestured for Kael to follow. "Alright, kid. Let's see what we're working with."

The scrapyard stretched far beyond the section Kael usually scavenged in, a sprawling labyrinth of discarded machines, rusted vehicles, and heaps of industrial waste. Garran led him to a clearing surrounded by towering piles of scrap, creating a makeshift arena.

"First thing's first," Garran said, turning to face Kael. "Before you can learn to fight, you need to understand what's happening inside you."

Kael frowned. "What do you mean?"

"That serum you drank—it didn't just give you strength. It woke something up. Something dormant." Garran tapped his own chest. "Every human has Bio-Energy, a force that flows through our bodies. It's what keeps us alive, keeps us moving. But most people don't even know it's there, let alone how to use it."

"And the serum... unlocked mine?" Kael asked, his voice filled with cautious curiosity.

"Partially," Garran replied. "It didn't just unlock it—it amplified it. But your body isn't used to channeling that kind of energy. That's why you feel it burning inside you. If you don't learn how to control it, it'll burn you out."

Kael's chest tightened. "So... it's dangerous?"

"Everything worth having is dangerous, kid," Garran said with a shrug. "The question is whether you've got the guts to push through."

Kael set his jaw. "I'm not afraid."

"Good," Garran said, his smirk returning. "Then let's start with the basics."

"Bio-Energy isn't magic," Garran began, his tone almost lecturing. "It's a part of your biology. It flows through your cells, fuels your muscles, keeps your heart beating. What makes a cultivator different is the ability to control that flow. To direct it where you need it."

Kael nodded, hanging on every word.

"Close your eyes," Garran instructed. "I want you to focus on the warmth in your chest. That's where your core is—your Bio-Core. It's the center of your energy, the source of everything you'll ever do with it."

Kael hesitated, then did as he was told. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. At first, all he felt was the chill of the morning air and the ache in his muscles from a restless night. But then, faintly, he felt it—the warmth, pulsing gently in his chest like a second heartbeat.

"Feel it?" Garran asked.

"Yes," Kael whispered.

"Good. Now imagine that warmth spreading. Picture it flowing through your veins, into your arms, your legs. Like a river branching out."

Kael furrowed his brow, struggling to concentrate. The warmth flickered, growing stronger and weaker with each passing second. He clenched his fists, trying to will it into his arms, but it refused to obey.

"Stop forcing it," Garran said sharply. "Bio-Energy isn't about brute strength. It's about control. Calm your mind. Let it flow naturally."

Kael took another breath, trying to relax. This time, the warmth began to spread slowly, creeping into his shoulders and down his arms. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make his fingers tingle.

"I feel it," Kael said, a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Good. Now open your eyes."

Kael obeyed, and Garran pointed to a nearby metal drum. "Punch that."

"What?" Kael asked, startled.

"You heard me. Focus the energy in your arm and punch it," Garran repeated. "Don't overthink it. Just do it."

Kael hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward. He concentrated on the warmth in his chest, channeling it down his arm. His fist clenched tightly as he drew it back, then struck the drum with all his might.

The impact was loud, echoing through the scrapyard. The drum buckled slightly under the force, but Kael stumbled back, clutching his hand in pain.

"Damn it!" he hissed, his knuckles throbbing.

"Not bad for a first try," Garran said, smirking. "But you're still leaking energy. You need to focus it into a single point, like compressing air in a pipe. Otherwise, it's just going to disperse and leave you with a sore hand."

Kael gritted his teeth, anger flaring. He wasn't used to failure, not when he was trying so hard. But he forced himself to calm down and nodded. "I'll try again."

They spent the next several hours repeating the exercise. Garran pushed Kael to his limits, demanding focus and precision with every strike. By midday, Kael's body ached, his muscles screaming in protest. But with each attempt, he felt the energy inside him grow more stable, more controllable.

Finally, on his fiftieth attempt, something clicked. As Kael punched the drum, the warmth in his arm condensed into a single, sharp burst. The drum crumpled inward, a deep dent forming where his fist had struck.

Kael staggered back, his chest heaving with exhaustion, but a triumphant grin spread across his face. "I did it."

Garran nodded approvingly. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."

"What... what was that?" Kael asked, still catching his breath.

"That," Garran said, "was your first technique: Bio-Shock Palm. It's a basic strike, but it packs a punch when you get it right. You'll need to practice it until it becomes second nature, but for now, it's a start."

Kael looked down at his hands, the faint warmth of his Bio-Energy still lingering in his veins. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't powerless anymore. He was learning, growing.

"What's next?" Kael asked, his voice filled with determination.

Garran chuckled. "Next? You keep training. This is just the beginning, kid. If you want to survive in this city, you'll need more than one trick up your sleeve."

Kael nodded, his resolve hardening. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was preparing—for Jerik, for the gangs, for the corporations that controlled the city. He was preparing to fight back.

And this time, he wouldn't lose.